2012 MLB Free Agents: Which Stars Should Yankees Target This Winter?

The New York Yankees are one loss away from starting the offseason. All things considered, this has been a good year for the franchise. They had a rotation with Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, so the fact they were able to win the American League East is a testament to the job they have done.

Since we are talking about the Yankees, a good season without a World Series does not mean anything. I do find that statement egomaniacal because every team considers the season a failure if they don't win a championship.

That tangent aside, the Yankees are going to explore the free-agent market this offseason to upgrade some weaknesses that they had this year.

One free agent the Yankees can afford to let go is Jorge Posada. I know Yankees fans have a soft spot for him, but he is 40 years old and Jesus Montero is a much younger, much cheaper option for this team who should give them at least the same production in 2012 that Posada did in 2011.

The biggest free agent, literally and figuratively, that the Yankees will have to sign is their ace, CC Sabathia. When he signed a contract with the team prior to the 2009 season, he got the team to include an opt-out clause after three seasons.

Sabathia would be nuts not to invoke that clause and test the market. He is coming off arguably the best season of his career, and the Yankees are so desperate for starting pitching that he should be able to surpass the $23 million average annual salary of his current contract.

Plus, the Red Sox could get involved in the bidding for the big lefty, if for no other reason than to drive his price up for the Yankees. Who wouldn't love to see that bidding war?

Another starting pitcher that the Yankees should look at is CJ Wilson.

The Rangers ace had a great season in 2011 and is in line for a big payday. He is going to be 31 at the start of next season, and some team is going to overpay to sign him. (When I say overpay, I mean give him an A.J. Burnett-type contract.)

If any team can afford to overpay a player, it is the Yankees.

The other big area of need for this team is at catcher. I love Montero's bat, but he is not a good defensive catcher. And the less said about Russell Martin, the better.

Ramon Hernandez would be a great fit on a one-year deal for the Yankees. He is still a good hitter, and he plays adequate defense behind the plate.

The biggest red flag for Hernandez is that he has played in less than 100 games in each of the last three seasons. But on a cheap one-year contract, he is worth a gamble for a team in need of a catcher.

The Yankees don't have a lot of holes, but one thing that we know is whatever weakness they do have will be fixed in the offseason.